Nine-Dragon Cave Scenic Area

The Nine-Dragon Cave Scenic Area is located about 17 kilometers (11 miles) to Tongren City in Guizhou Province. Covering an area of 245 square kilometers (95 square miles), it stretches from Baihualang Scenic Spot in Bahuang Town to Yangtou Town.

This area has a pleasant climate with upright hills, verdant forests and crystal creeks. The area mainly comprises the Nine-Dragon Cave, the Jing River Valley, the Jing River Reservoir and some other caves such as Huangla, Qingming and Tian'e. Among them, the most celebrated is the Nine-Dragon Cave, situated on the slope of the Kwan-yin Hill on the right bank of the Malong Creek (Scolding Dragon Creek). The cave is a large natural Karst Cave about 70 meters (230 feet) wide and 30 to 50 meters (98 to 164 feet) high. The widest part is about 100 meters (328 feet). Consisting of seven caves and twelve scenic spots, it has two levels connected by small caves.

As legend goes, six yellow dragons once lived on the hill. One day, they invited three black dragons from the Jing River to meet them in the Nine-Dragon Cave. Fascinated by the appealing scenery in the cave, the nine dragons were reluctant to leave and decided to live there. Each wanted to occupy the cave as its own and thus ended up quarrelling with each other till daybreak. It was then too late to get back and so they decided to climb onto the huge colorful stalactite pillars. Hence, the name Nine Dragon Cave came into being.

The Nine-Dragon Cave is a fantastic 'theme park'. There are lifelike animals and wonderful landscape formed by the stalactites and stalagmites. Black dragons, peacocks, lions, camels, monkeys, whelks and sea turtles are everywhere. Clouds, waterfalls and flowers can also be found. Meanwhile, one must not missed the other two smaller natural caves (the Cold and Heated Wind Caves), located about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the Nine-Dragon Cave.

The cave has three renowned halls. The first is a somewhat flat-roofed hall with appealing scenery like the waterfall cave, a dragon with a ball in its mouth, a lion with a tower on its back, a long sword piercing towards the sky and a white elephant. The second is also flat-roofed, with exquisite stone curtain designs. One can also see a dancing fairy, a golden cockerel, jade pillars and silver flowers. The third hall is the real gem of the Nine-Dragon Cave. Its roof is round and estimated to be able to accommodate ten thousand people. In the hall stand six huge pillars, each about 30 meters (98 feet) in height. A proud peacock, a golden whelk, a roaring lion, a lobster coming out of its hiding and dragons climbing on the pillars are some of the features one must observe. In addition, there is a large jellyfish about nine meters (30 feet) high.

The Liantai Peak at Kwan-Yin Hill in the Jing River Valley and the Jing River Reservoir are also worth a visit. The Lotus Temple, Jade Emperor Hall and Kwan-Yin Hall were built at the peak. The Lotus Temple is very famous in Guizhou. One is able to appreciate the beautiful scenery on the banks of the reservoir too.

Getting there:

1. Catch a bus (Tongren to Yangtou Town) at the North Bus Station and alight at the Nine-Dragon Cave. Then walk about 100 meters (328 feet) on your right to take a ferry to the opposite bank. 2. Take the boat at the West Gate Bridge in Tongren to the the scenic area.